As Milwaukee County Executive, Scott Walker presided over steep transit cuts. His controversial state budget proposal would cut $46 million for transit. Image: We Party Patriots

Remember just a few months ago when Scott Walker was just a little-known gubernatorial hopeful from the Cheese State with an inexplicable hatred for trains?

It was no secret that he had some unusual ideas, his fanatical opposition to passenger rail being one of them. But who’d have thought that very same man, just a few months into his governorship, would be catapulted into the national spotlight as his state legislature devolved into chaos?

There were ominous signs, as James Rowen from Network blog The Political Environment points out. For example, back when he was the executive of Milwaukee County, Walker had some pretty interesting ideas about transit. Rowen recalls:

It was nearly four years ago to the day that Scott Walker told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial board that he wanted to grow the economy so much that poor people would be able to buy cars and leave the bus behind.

Walker’s outlandish ideas about transit appear to have carried over to his controversial state budget proposal. The same document that has ignited a collective bargaining battle and captured the nation’s attention also includes catastrophic transit cuts totaling $46 million.

Rowen continues:

So as we prepare for deep state revenue sharing cuts to local transit systems (“we’re broke, we can’t afford transit…”) and perhaps the ending of some federal transit aids if Walker’s budget-repair bill strips bargaining rights from local system employees, remember that he was mouthing his marketplace talking points years before he had a chance to translate them into real-world service cuts.

Also on the Network today: Greater Greater Washington reports that a pair of anti-livability bills making their way through the Virginia legislature have — thankfully — been laid to rest. We reported earlier that these two bills would have required that highway construction take priority in Northern Virginia and that all transportation projects be evaluated first-and-foremost for their effect on congestion. The legislation was championed by an interest group representing construction, real estate and business interests and was a major threat for Arlington County, which boasts one of the most progressive county transportation departments in the country.

The fact is these transit issues are an issue for the federal government, not for states. The federal government is in charge of highways and we need a method of high speed travel that is inexpensive, for everyday use, and not as problematic as airplanes. A new issue is security so it must be made to be able to have adequate protection from outside threats. Can’t blame a guy for trying to save money in state.

Ian Turner

MMG, that’s interesting, I keep wishing the federal government would get out of the transportation-subsidy business.

http://jerseyguys.blogspot.com Chris

At some point it is going to be impossible to deny that investment in public transportation is going to cost us less than maintaining a fleet of single occupancy vehicles indefinitely.

The Right claims we can’t afford transit and better human scaled infrastructure, but we most definitely can’t afford to build new roads or maintain the ones we’ve already gifted ourselves without seeing huge budget cuts elsewhere.

Asphalt degrades and must be repaired seemingly yearly. Rails last a lot longer. Sidewalks and multi-use paths last longer and are cheaper to maintain. Ashpalt intended for bicycle traffic will last longer than roads that have SUVs pounding on them all day. Educating people to condense their lives: live closer to work, school, shopping, church, etc is cheaper for our country in the long run. And what is wrong with that idea? Who really likes to spend two hours in the car each day?

Justin

i posted a comment and i think it went to your trash. any chance of retrieving it?

I love the comment made about “a method of high-speed travel that is inexpensive”. Considering the soaring cost of petroleum, which affects the costs of construction materials – including asphalt and concrete- perhaps we should consider teleportation. That’s the only solution available that fits Scott Walker’s criteria. And yes, you can blame a guy for proffering the wrong long-term solutions. But, as long as good old Scotty can yell “I’m free from the government meddling in my life” at the top of his lungs, what else matters. Oh, I forgot he is the government, and therefore the financial problem du jour.

Reginald

Wisconsin is in the same boat as Ohio right now suffering from buyers’ remorse on their gubernatorial elections. Instead of proffering anything new, these governors are peddling the same hoary old worthless junk that they’ve been trying to sell America since 1981 and people just aren’t buying it anymore that prosperity is juuuuust around the corner.

Joe R.

It never occurred to Scott Walker that if he grew the economy enough so poor people could afford cars perhaps they might wish to spend the money on something else instead. All he need do is look at NYC. Lots of people here technically can afford cars, but would rather not deal with the hassles of car ownership. Some, including myself, don’t even consider getting a license a worthwhile endeavor.

andrew

when gas passes $4, get an american flag and ride around local gas stations

http://jerseyguys.blogspot.com Chris

Reginald, I agree. Trickle down economics created jobs alright, and we shipped them overseas. And yet the GOP keeps demanding tax cuts for the rich while letting the poor and working class pay for everything, including the infrastructure which allows the rich to keep raking in the easy dollars.

Lou

Gov Walker is right the UNION is USELESS they take your dues and smoke cigars while thay rape the public… They guarantee the democratics that they will get elected if they give them more money, bennnnnnieeeeeeeeee.. I hope he breaks the union.. It has become almost impossible for the average person to make ends meet. Teachers, police, fireman, town,city,state and federal employees work for US,,,, and they make more than we make …We are people who work in burger king, mac, Mills, sears, wal-mat, etc. We make $10 per hour thay make $25 with health bennie that are out of sight.. The liberial are nuts.

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America's transportation system is half a century behind--causing unnecessary pollution, expense, and congestion. We need our leaders to invest in public transportation, high-speed passenger rail, streets safe for biking and walking, maintaining our roads and transit systems, and green innovation.